Arizona Cardinals select Ole Miss DT Robert Nkemdiche in first round of 2016 NFL Draft
Apr 28, 2016, 8:25 PM | Updated: 9:46 pm
The Arizona Cardinals have selected Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche with the No. 29 selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Mr. Nkemdiche…
You are the newest member of the @AZCardinals BIRDGANG!! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/5bIGzS5nm6
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2016
Once thought of being a top-five lock in the draft, Nkemdiche has been slipping on many draft boards as questions continue to swirl about his off-field issues.
“I’m a positive person, I’m a great person you know what I mean, and through this process there has been misconceptions of the perception of who I am, but you know that’s what the media does and that’s what happens when you make a mistake and you’re in my position,” Nkemdiche told ESPN minutes after being picked. “I’m happy that the right team picked me.
“I believe in destiny and I feel like this was where I was supposed to be the whole time and look where I ended up. I’ve always had a good vibe from this team and I’ve always felt comfortable there. And I’m happy to be here.”
Nkemdiche was arrested on drug charges after falling out of a hotel window and was suspended from the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl appearance.
Nkemdiche visited with the Cardinals in the beginning of April.
The 21-year-old was an All-SEC First Team and All-American Second Team selection in 2015 when he had 29 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks for the Rebels.
Coming out of Grayson High School in Loganville, GA in 2013, Nkemdiche was considered the top overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com and chose Ole Miss over offers from every major college program in the country.
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